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Dead Soul (Charlie Moon Mysteries) Mass Market Paperback – August 3, 2004

by James D. Doss (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 305 ratings
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Where Colorado's border pushes against New Mexico, autumn is short. Rancher and tribal investigator Charlie Moon has fat cattle and a prowling cougar that demand his attention. He doesn't have the time to investigate the assault that killed hard-drinking limo driver, Billy Smoke, and put his boss, a U.S. Senator, in a wheelchair. But Moon has an obligation to the People, the Southern Utes, to look into the murder of one of their own. The FBI couldn't solve the case. Now Moon can walk the same paths and get to the same place. Or he can listen to his acid-tongued Aunt Daisy, a tribal shaman as well as a thorn in Moon's side. She insists a distraught red-haired girl is looking for Charlie. It may be about Billy Smoke's murder. Or-since this involves Aunt Daisy-the girl may be looking for a justice of her own.

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Previous page
  1. Book 8 of 16
    Charlie Moon Mysteries
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    St. Martin's Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    August 3, 2004
  6. Dimensions
    3.98 x 1.06 x 6.76 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0312994621
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0312994624
  9. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Doss does for the Utes what Tony Hillerman has done for the Navajo.” ―Denver Post

“Doss has reproduced the land of the Southern Colorado Utes with vivid affection.” ―Dallas Morning News

“Doss could be accused of poaching in Tony Hillerman territory...but Doss mixes mysticism and murder with his own unmistakable touch.” ―Orlando Sentinel

“Although less well known than other Native American-based mystery series, the Charlie Moon novels are quickly rising to the top of the pack. Doss has a fine comic touch-playing off Moon's laconic wit against Daisy's flamboyant personality-and he just may be the best of the bunch at seamlessly integrating anthropological and spiritual material into his stories.” ―Booklist on White Shell Woman

“A dash of humor and a sprinkling of romance season Doss's eighth Charlie Moon mystery.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Doss keeps ringing intriguing changes off the chords of his unusual premise: former Southern Ute police officer Charlie Moon, now a Colorado rancher, solves crimes as a special tribal investigator while sparring with his cantankerous Aunt Daisy, a Ute shaman, who scoffs at Charlie's obstinate refusal to acknowledge the supernatural nature of the universe...Hillerman gets the most press, but Doss mixes an equally potent brew of crime and Native American spirituality.” ―Booklist

“This latest story, one of pure-handed suspense...makes us deeply eager for the next.” ―newmysteryreader.com

“Lyrical and he gets the sardonic, macho patter between men down cold. The finale is heartfelt and unexpected, and a final confrontation stuns with its violent and confessional precision.” ―Providence Journal Bulletin

From the Back Cover

During the frigid Moon of Dead Leaves Falling
Billy Smoke had his final beer...and met his destiny.

Where Colorado's border pushes against New Mexico, autumn is short. Rancher and tribal investigator Charlie Moon has fat cattle and a prowling cougar that demand his attention. He doesn't have the time to investigate the assault that killed hard-drinking limo driver, Billy Smoke, and put his boss, a U.S. Senator, in a wheelchair. But Moon has an obligation to the People, the Southern Utes, to look into the murder of one of their own. The FBI couldn't solve the case. Now Moon can walk the same paths and get to the same place. Or he can listen to his acid-tongued Aunt Daisy, a tribal shaman as well as a thorn in Moon's side. She insists a distraught red-haired girl is looking for Charlie. It may be about Billy Smoke's murder. Or-since this involves Aunt Daisy-the girl may be looking for a justice of her own.

"Doss has reproduced the land of the Southern Colorado Utes with vivid affection."
-Dallas Morning News

"Doss could be accused of poaching in Tony Hillerman territory...but Doss mixes mysticism and murder with his own unmistakable touch."
-Orlando Sentinel

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Paperbacks (August 3, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0312994621
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312994624
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3.98 x 1.06 x 6.76 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 305 ratings

About the author

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James D. Doss

James D. Doss

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JAMES D. DOSS is the author of twelve Charlie Moon mysteries, two of which were named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Originally from Kentucky, he divides his time between Los Alamos and Taos, New Mexico.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
305 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Steven Christensen
5.0 out of 5 stars Got it just right!
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2011
Verified Purchase
I started at the beginning of this series quite by accident and have read them all through Dead Souls so far. James Doss always does a fine job of combining a good story with interesting characters and a fine sense of place through outstanding dialogue and wonderful descriptive words that cause me to visualize in my mind the place and people in his stories.

That being said, sometimes I feel like the Native American mysticism a bit overwhelming or the storyline somewhat "over the top". In this tale I find that Doss gets everything just right and has written a great book. As alwasy I enjoyed aunt Daisy Perika, Scott Paris and of course Charlie Moon who is a tremendous fictional character. This is a find read that I found extremely enjoyable and look foward to reading the rest of the series. I find myself getting a comfortable feeling whenever I pick one of these books and look forward to a new adventure with old friends.

As an aside, you will find that James Doss, along with every other Southwestern mystery, will be compared to Tony Hillerman, the father of the genre. In my opinion James Doss is a much better author. If you like this genre read James Doss!
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PrismLandGirl
4.0 out of 5 stars James Doss
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
Is such a good writer. Book was a pleasure. Figured out who the antagonist was fairly early though. Recommended reading.
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D. C. Bauman
5.0 out of 5 stars Doss gets better and better.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2003
Verified Purchase
The newest James Doss novel is a very satisfying read. Having read all 8 novels this is the best by far. The first novels featured Scott Paris more than they did Charley Moon. The change to featuring Charlie Moon and the interplay with his aunt Daisy has made the novels more interesting. I enjoy the interplay between Aunt Daisy and Charlie as he tries to live the "modern" Ute way and she walks in the "old" Ute way. Although this novel still maintains the interplay between Aunt Daisy and Charlie, there is a definite movement on Charlie's part to being affected by the ghosts of the past. His night dreams seem to show evidence that the blood of a "Shamaan" runs in his veins. Many of the book jackets have stated that Doss does for the Utes what Tony Hillerman does for the Navajo. This is the first time that I truly believe that this is the case. The combination of Native American mysticism and modern day Ute civilization makes this novel an extremely satisfying read. It is also nice to see Charlie have a bit of romance. I hope the Senator's assistant is a continuing character. I can't wait for the next James Doss novel.
8 people found this helpful
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Four Eyes
5.0 out of 5 stars Good plot development
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2022
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Easy to read and put down then later to resume…a bit over the hill regarding…well I can’t tell you or will spoil the ending.
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Jean Nolan
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written story based in Southern Colorado
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
I loved this story about the Southern Utes of Colorado. The characters are well-drawn; humor is introduced often; Native American culture is included; and the writing is well-done. I have read a number of the books in this series and enjoyed every one of them!
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Roger Q. Callaway
4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good book.
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
I bought this book because I grew up in the area the book was set in. The book is an adventure, a who-dunnit shoot 'em up with a cast of somewhat larger than life stereotypes.As the plot unwinds, Good and Evil are worked in as part of the setting, perhaps too well. The good guys sort of won, and the bad guys sort of lost, but evil abides. I'm not sure I like my fantasy colored with reality. To the credit of the author, he doesn't just kill people willy nilly; the deaths of major characters are crucial to advancing the plot, the minor characters that he kills off are just bon bons to let you know that this is not really reality, and might be available to Hollywood. I can easily call to mind, the major characters of the book, months after I finished it. It's got a lot more weight than a Louis Lamour, maybe it's almost literature. I haven't bought another one in the series, but I don't read like I used to.
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billie styron
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Best
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2012
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Having read all of Mr. Doss' book I declare it the best. His descriptions of Colorado country are outstanding and breathtaking. The role of Charlie Moon pictured him as a thinking, acting investigator. The supporting character of Aunt Daisy was brief, but very strong and their love and care for each other is needed in today's society. I like the short chapters, but this is not a book you can start and come back to later. It leaves you with the qustion of "what will happen next?" Lots of action and plenty of colorful characters. Thank you, Mr. Doss
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
James Doss is truly missed in the literary world. He writes with beautiful description, understanding of human foibles, laughter at our stupidity and totally unpredictable intelligent plots. This one is no exception, the best one yet!
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